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Impact on policy from three severe weather events in the Omaha area in June, 2008

Daniel Nietfeld – NOAA/NWS/WFO Omaha NE. Impact on policy from three severe weather events in the Omaha area in June, 2008. (and many other issues raised). Kansas City IWT Workshop: Using the WAS*IS Approach January 22, 2009.

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Impact on policy from three severe weather events in the Omaha area in June, 2008

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  1. Daniel Nietfeld – NOAA/NWS/WFO Omaha NE Impact on policy from three severe weather events in the Omaha area in June, 2008 (and many other issues raised) Kansas City IWT Workshop: Using the WAS*IS Approach January 22, 2009

  2. Is this something you would want to be warned about? Would you expect the sirens to be blown?

  3. What was that ? • Did it seem dangerous, or even life-threatening? • Rear flank downdraft (straight-line winds) • Behind a tornadic supercell (Hallam, NE) • What would be the best way to handle this scenario with a warning, and any associated siren blowing ??? • What would be a good polygon solution for this scenario ???

  4. May 22, 2004 Hallam, Nebraska F4 T

  5. June 8 2008: Omaha, Nebraska(mid-morning)

  6. June 8 2008: Omaha, Nebraska NWS WCM Home Owner Saw

  7. 2:10 – 2:30 AM June 8 2008

  8. Storm-Relative Velocity

  9. The Omaha Policy on 8 June, 2008 • Sound the sirens when the NWS issues a tornado warning • IT HI T WITHOUT ANY WARNING !!!!! • (From the NWS, or from a siren perspective)

  10. June 8 2008: Omaha, Nebraska NWS WCM Home Owner Saw

  11. The Aftermath of 8 June • Significant outcry • Meeting with the Mayor and Staff • Press Conference • 3 days of news coverage • Google “Omaha” “Tornadoes” “June 8”

  12. 11 June 2008 Xavier 14 Yr Old Boy Scout Note the scar

  13. 11 June 2008 • 4 Killed • 48 Injured

  14. Had an “outdoor warning device” and NOAA Weather Radio

  15. Boy Scout Policy Changes • Must camp with a Severe Wx Trained adult • Severe weather training courses • Involving the IWT in groups such as Boy Scouts • Sirens / Outdoor warning devices • Storm Shelters

  16. What IF ? Do you want a TOR Inside a SVR ???

  17. June 11, 2008 Tornado Warnings in the Omaha Area • Tornado Warnings off/on 715 pm – 10 pm • Sirens off/on for nearly 3 hours • Were polygons too large? • (We were operating without a radar at times) • Should we take these political boundaries into account?

  18. 27 June 2008

  19. 3-D KOAX Reflectivity at 2159 UTC (courtesy GR Level 2 Analyst)

  20. June 27, 2008

  21. June 27 Severe Thunderstorm • Hurricane force winds • Lasting for several minutes • Damage and debris was widespread • NO TORNADOES • (?What is the best product for this scenario?)

  22. Damage Survey

  23. Storm statistics: Path length: 90 miles Path width: 4 to 6 miles Estimated maximum wind speeds: 110-115 mph (EF2) One fatality (tree fell on car in Council Bluffs, IA) and several minor injuries Damage estimate: $53+ million in Douglas County (Omaha) Event Impacts

  24. MOTIVATION! New Policy from Lessons Learned! … • When to activate: • When the National Weather Service initiates a Tornado Warning for any portion of Douglas County. • When a public safety official or trained storm-spotter states that s/he is in site of a rotating funnel cloud or tornado within Douglas County. • When Douglas County 911 receives credible reports of damage or the eminent threat of hurricane-force sustained winds equal to or greater than 74 mph.

  25. New Policy… • During night-time conditions or in the absence of adequate warning, the on-duty 911 supervisor can direct an activation of the outdoor warning sirens if he/she determines that lives may be saved and injuries averted by alerting the public to the severe weather condition. Getting a bit vague here…

  26. Conclusions • Original Policy was product driven and failed when the science did not permit the proper product to be issued • Revised Policy was more impact driven, and worked when a life-threatening (but non-tornadic) weather event occurred

  27. What other lessons can be learned… (?) • Kansas City Metro area ? • Lincoln, Nebraska – spotter sighting only • Minimizing False Alarms • Flash flood policies ?

  28. Post-Event Activities • June 8 • Local Media flurry • Live press conference with Mayor and 911 Director • June 11 • National Media • June 27 • Local Media • Insurance companies, lawyers, roofing companies, etc.

  29. Discussion Questions • Siren Policies • Scout Camp issues • Shelters • Sirens • Should NWS Warnings have GIS data? (camps, etc…) • Polygon methodologies • Products that fit the event (wide range of Severe)

  30. Daniel Nietfeld – NOAA/NWS/WFO Omaha NE Impact on policy from three severe weather events in the Omaha area in June, 2008 (and many other issues raised) Kansas City IWT Workshop: Using the WAS*IS Approach January 22, 2009

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